According to the reports on Wednesday (03 September), over the Labor Day weekend in Chicago, 58 people were shot, leaving eight dead and several others injured, including seven victims in a drive-by shooting. The violence highlighted ongoing concerns about gun crime in the city, which frequently faces spikes in shootings during holiday weekends.
In response, President Donald Trump criticized Chicago’s leadership and described the city as the “worst and most dangerous in the world.” He declared on 2 September (local time) that he had decided to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago to combat crime, repeating his long-standing position that federal intervention is necessary.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson quickly pushed back against Trump’s statements. They labeled the move unnecessary and politically motivated, stressing that local authorities have not requested federal troops. Pritzker called Trump’s remarks “absurd” and reaffirmed that he would not ask for federal military support.
Despite this opposition, Trump insisted his plan would bring swift results and restore safety to Chicago, just as he claimed to have done in Washington, DC. His comments and planned actions have further intensified the political divide over how best to address the city’s persistent problem of gun violence.
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